2013 Tour de Yadkin launches June 9

Published: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 12:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 12:12 p.m.

The fourth annual Tour de Yadkin, hosted by The Yadkin Riverkeeper, based in Winston-Salem, is set for June 9-29.

The 185-mile paddling adventure takes place on North Carolina's second largest river basin. For three weeks, hundreds of paddlers in canoes and kayaks will take to the water from the highlands of Wilkes County to the Uwharrie Mountains of south central North Carolina, according to a press release from the riverkeeper.

This year's Tour has expanded camping opportunities for the first 10 days of the tour and will feature "Women on the Water" Paddle Day and a Father's Day Paddle with the Adventure Guides. The 2013 Tour de Yadkin is sponsored by REI Sports with numerous prize sponsors including Get: Outdoors paddle sports and outdoor sports supplies and Maui Jim sunglasses. Registration for paddle days opens April 1.

The Tour de Yadkin offers an on-the-water experience for all levels of paddling skill. Paddlers can join the tour for a few hours or multiple days. Most events are free, and paddlers should visit YadkinRiverkeeper.org for additional details, start times, paddling opportunities, rentals, lodging and restrictions. New to this year's tour is a Woman on the Water paddle and Adventure Guides Program Father's Day paddle.

The tour will pass through Davidson County during its last week. The Tour de Yadkin begins June 23 with a Membership Appreciation Paddle, where paddlers will head 9 miles downriver from below Idols Dam to the U.S. Highway 64 Access in Davidson County. All paddlers as well as members and volunteers of Yadkin Riverkeeper can participate in a Membership Appreciation Barbecue Dinner on the river later that evening.

June 24 is a 12.4-mile REI Employee Paddle Day from U.S. Highway 64 to Boone's Cave Park. Legend says that Daniel Boone was only 16 when his family settled on the banks of the Yadkin River in the spring of 1750. Paddlers can explore "the shoals of the Yadkin" where Daniel Boone fished as teenage boy. Daniel Boone Park also includes a small cave thought to be Daniel Boone's hideout. Camping is available at Boone's Cave Park, but non-campers can take out at the 801 Access at 9.3 miles.

Paddlers continue June 25 from Boone's Cave Park to York Hill on High Rock Lake for a 9.5-mile trip, and then June 26 is a 12-mile paddle from York Hill across High Rock Lake to Tamarac Marina, with a camping option at Tamarac Marina.

<p>The fourth annual Tour de Yadkin, hosted by The Yadkin Riverkeeper, based in Winston-Salem, is set for June 9-29.</p><p>The 185-mile paddling adventure takes place on North Carolina's second largest river basin. For three weeks, hundreds of paddlers in canoes and kayaks will take to the water from the highlands of Wilkes County to the Uwharrie Mountains of south central North Carolina, according to a press release from the riverkeeper. </p><p>This year's Tour has expanded camping opportunities for the first 10 days of the tour and will feature "Women on the Water" Paddle Day and a Father's Day Paddle with the Adventure Guides. The 2013 Tour de Yadkin is sponsored by REI Sports with numerous prize sponsors including Get: Outdoors paddle sports and outdoor sports supplies and Maui Jim sunglasses. Registration for paddle days opens April 1.</p><p>The Tour de Yadkin offers an on-the-water experience for all levels of paddling skill. Paddlers can join the tour for a few hours or multiple days. Most events are free, and paddlers should visit YadkinRiverkeeper.org for additional details, start times, paddling opportunities, rentals, lodging and restrictions. New to this year's tour is a Woman on the Water paddle and Adventure Guides Program Father's Day paddle.</p><p>The tour will pass through Davidson County during its last week. The Tour de Yadkin begins June 23 with a Membership Appreciation Paddle, where paddlers will head 9 miles downriver from below Idols Dam to the U.S. Highway 64 Access in Davidson County. All paddlers as well as members and volunteers of Yadkin Riverkeeper can participate in a Membership Appreciation Barbecue Dinner on the river later that evening.</p><p>June 24 is a 12.4-mile REI Employee Paddle Day from U.S. Highway 64 to Boone's Cave Park. Legend says that Daniel Boone was only 16 when his family settled on the banks of the Yadkin River in the spring of 1750. Paddlers can explore "the shoals of the Yadkin" where Daniel Boone fished as teenage boy. Daniel Boone Park also includes a small cave thought to be Daniel Boone's hideout. Camping is available at Boone's Cave Park, but non-campers can take out at the 801 Access at 9.3 miles.</p><p>Paddlers continue June 25 from Boone's Cave Park to York Hill on High Rock Lake for a 9.5-mile trip, and then June 26 is a 12-mile paddle from York Hill across High Rock Lake to Tamarac Marina, with a camping option at Tamarac Marina.</p>